INVERNESS SHERIFF COURT: Robber who brandished weapon avoids jail
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A 48-YEAR-OLD man who staged an armed robbery at his local visitor centre and terrified the sole staff member by brandishing a metal weapon over her head has avoided a jail sentence.
Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald decided against prison after hearing from defence solicitor Patrick O’Dea who said James Daly was taking steps himself to address his long-standing alcohol problem.
At an earlier hearing, Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Daly, of Millburn Road, Inverness but who lived in Ord Place, Lairg on October 1, 2021, wore a scarf to mask his face.
But a brave customer photographed him on a mobile phone and along with his distinctive clothing, Daly was arrested by police later that day.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Daly told the woman behind the counter that he wasn’t local after raiding the till and taking some notes, totalling £140.
He had been in the information office just 30 minutes earlier and signed the track and trace Covid book with the name of his friend, Ian Anderson, before returning wearing the same clothing to rob the facility at 12.15pm.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that Daly brandished a wrench or a crowbar or similar instrument at the woman and demanded she open the till while two customers were in the shop.
“He grabbed a money bag containing about £55 in charity cash and then some notes from the till. He said: ‘that will do for starters.’ But he dropped the bag, picked it up again and said: ‘By the way, I am not local.’
“He was eventually traced to his flat and police recovered £130 in notes from under the bathroom floorboards.”
Daly admitted assault and robbery, and Mr O’Dea said his client was in a rehab programme and had not offended since.
“He has sought out the necessary help. He has been abusing alcohol for the last 12 years. I concede this was a premeditated and organised incident, but it was also shambolic.
“He invited the police in to search his property when they arrived and all but £5 of the money was recovered. He spent it on alcohol. He was so inebriated, it took him a number of days to sober up.
“He sincerely apologises to the lady who was operating the till as she undoubtedly went through a horrific ordeal.”
Daly was ordered to remain under social work supervision for two years and must comply with any requirements made by his supervising officer. Sheriff Macdonald said it was an alternative to custody and he would be jailed if he breached the order.
